U.S. patent number 9,409,082 [Application Number 14/083,735] was granted by the patent office on 2016-08-09 for apparatus and medium for controlling a rhythm game with an editing function.
This patent grant is currently assigned to KABUSHIKI KAISHA SQUARE ENIX. The grantee listed for this patent is KABUSHIKI KAISHA SQUARE ENIX. Invention is credited to Ichiro Hazama.
United States Patent |
9,409,082 |
Hazama |
August 9, 2016 |
Apparatus and medium for controlling a rhythm game with an editing
function
Abstract
A rhythm game control apparatus for controlling progress of a
rhythm game is provided. Basic music score information indicating a
basic music score on which a trigger arrangement permissible mark
is arranged and music score information indicating a music score
are stored. A display device is caused to display a music score
editing screen on which the basic music score can be edited. The
trigger is arranged on the basic music score in accordance with a
trigger arranging request received from a player when an arranging
request position of the trigger by the trigger arranging request is
an arrangement permissible position at which a trigger arrangement
permissible mark is arranged. The music score information is
registered in the music score information memory indicating the
music score for which the trigger is arranged on the basic music
score and the basic music score is thereby edited.
Inventors: |
Hazama; Ichiro (Tokyo,
JP) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
KABUSHIKI KAISHA SQUARE ENIX |
Tokyo |
N/A |
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
KABUSHIKI KAISHA SQUARE ENIX
(Tokyo, JP)
|
Family
ID: |
50825964 |
Appl.
No.: |
14/083,735 |
Filed: |
November 19, 2013 |
Prior Publication Data
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|
|
|
Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20140155157 A1 |
Jun 5, 2014 |
|
Foreign Application Priority Data
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|
|
|
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Nov 30, 2012 [JP] |
|
|
2012-262033 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F
13/814 (20140902); A63F 13/00 (20130101); A63F
13/533 (20140902); A63F 13/63 (20140902) |
Current International
Class: |
A63F
13/00 (20140101); A63F 13/63 (20140101); A63F
13/533 (20140101); A63F 13/814 (20140101) |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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|
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|
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2000-300838 |
|
Oct 2000 |
|
JP |
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2010-088684 |
|
Apr 2010 |
|
JP |
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2010-088685 |
|
Apr 2010 |
|
JP |
|
2010-154996 |
|
Jul 2010 |
|
JP |
|
5185425 |
|
Apr 2013 |
|
JP |
|
Other References
"REAPER", [dated Nov. 24, 2012]. From Wikipedia, The Free
Encylopedia. [online], [retrieved on Sep. 19, 2015]. Retrieved from
the Internet
<URL:https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=REAPER&oldid=524649898-
>. 3 pages. cited by examiner .
"Rock Band Network", [dated Oct. 6, 2012]. From Wikipedia, The Free
Encylopedia. [online], [retrieved on Sep. 19, 2015]. Retrieved from
the Internet
<URL:https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rock.sub.--Ba-
nd.sub.--Network&oldid=516333397>. 7 pages. cited by
examiner .
"How to Create a Song in Rock Band Network", [dated Aug. 27, 2009],
From wired.com. [online], [retrieved Sep. 19, 2015]. Retrieved from
the Internet
<URL:http://www.wired.com/2009/08/rock-band-network-2/>. 10
pages. cited by examiner .
"Rock Band Network Charting Tutorial Part 2--Charting", [dated
2010]. [online], [retrieved Sep. 19, 2015]. Retrieved from the
Internet
<URL:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4jH.sub.--aU8NYs>. 1
page. cited by examiner .
Office Action from Japan Patent Office (JPO) in Japanese Patent
Application No. 2012-262033, dated Feb. 18, 2014, along with an
English language translation thereof. cited by applicant.
|
Primary Examiner: Galka; Lawrence
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Greenblum & Bernstein,
P.L.C.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A rhythm game control apparatus for controlling progress of a
rhythm game while reproducing music and causing a display to
display one or more trigger on a display screen of the display, the
display including a touch panel, each of the one or more trigger
indicating an operation sign to prompt a player to input an
operation according to a rhythm of the music, the rhythm game
control apparatus comprising: a basic music score information
memory for storing basic music score information, the basic music
score information indicating a basic music score on which one or
more trigger arrangement permissible mark is arranged, the trigger
arrangement permissible mark indicating an arrangement permissible
position for the one or more trigger; a music score information
memory for storing music score information, the music score
information indicating a music score on which the one or more
trigger is arranged in a game mode, the music score being used in
the rhythm game; a processor for causing the display to display a
music score editing screen on which the basic music score indicated
by the basic music score information is configured to be edited in
an edit mode; and a receiver for receiving a trigger arranging
request from the player on the music score editing screen in the
edit mode on the basis of a trigger arranging operation by the
player, wherein the processor arranges each of the one or more
trigger on the basic music score in accordance with the trigger
arranging request received by the receiver in the edit mode in a
case where an arranging request position of each trigger by the
trigger arranging request is an arrangement permissible position at
which a trigger arrangement permissible mark is arranged, the
processor registers edited music score information in the music
score information memory, the edited music score information
indicating the music score for which the one or more trigger on the
basic music score is edited in the edit mode, and a special effect
is activated within a certain range on the music score when the
player continues the operation at the right time during progress of
the game mode, the certain range not being the arrangement
permissible position in the edit mode.
2. The rhythm game control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
the receiver is further for receiving a trigger arrangement
changing request on the music score editing screen in the edit mode
by a trigger arrangement changing operation of the player, the
processor changes the arranging request position of each trigger in
accordance with the trigger arrangement changing request received
by the receiver in the edit mode in a case where the arrangement
changing request position is another arrangement permissible
position at which another trigger arrangement permissible mark is
arranged, and the processor registers changed music score
information, which indicates the music score for which the
arrangement position of the trigger is changed in the edit mode, in
the music score information memory.
3. The rhythm game control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
the processor causes the display to selectively display the one or
more trigger arrangement permissible mark on the basis of a size of
the music score editing screen to be displayed on the display
screen.
4. A non-transitory computer-readable medium including a rhythm
game control program for causing a computer to control progress of
a rhythm game while reproducing music and causing a display to
display one or more trigger on a display screen of the display, the
display including a touch panel, each of the one or more trigger
indicating an operation sign to prompt a player to input an
operation according to a rhythm of the music, wherein the computer
comprises: a basic music score information memory for storing basic
music score information, the basic music score information
indicating a basic music score on which one or more trigger
arrangement permissible mark is arranged, the trigger arrangement
permissible mark indicating an arrangement permissible position for
the one or more trigger; and a music score information memory for
storing music score information, the music score information
indicating a music score on which the one or more trigger is
arranged in a game mode, the music score being used in the rhythm
game, and wherein the rhythm game control program causes the
computer to execute: causing the display to display a music score
editing screen on which the basic music score indicated by the
basic music score information is configured to be edited in an edit
mode; receiving a trigger arranging request from the player on the
music score editing screen in the edit mode on the basis of a
trigger arranging operation by the player; arranging each of the
one or more trigger on the basic music score in accordance with the
trigger arranging request received in the receiving of the trigger
arranging request in the edit mode in a case where an arranging
request position of each trigger by the trigger arranging request
is an arrangement permissible position at which a trigger
arrangement permissible mark is arranged; and registering edited
music score information in the music score information memory, the
edited music score information indicating the music score for which
the one or more trigger is arranged on the basic music score is
edited in the edit mode, wherein a special effect is activated
within a certain range on the music score when the player continues
the operation at the right time during progress of the game mode,
the certain range not being the arrangement permissible position in
the edit mode.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
The present application relates to subject matter contained in
Japanese Patent Application No. 2012-262033, filed on Nov. 30,
2012, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated herein by
reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a technique for controlling
progress of a rhythm game.
2. Description of the Related Art
Heretofore, in a music game (or a rhythm game) system, various ones
are proposed in each of which an instruction mark set up to a
non-display state is switched from the non-display state to a
display state in accordance with the play content by a player (for
example, see Japanese Patent Application Publication No.
2010-088684 and Japanese Patent Application Publication No.
2010-088685). Such a system places an emphasis on realization of
operability with high interest using a music score (that is, an
image that shows input timing of an operation sign in accordance
with music) created in advance by a provider of the game system or
the like.
However, in these conventional systems, there has been a problem
that a player cannot utilize only a music score, which has been
created in advance at a game provider side, in a music game and it
is thereby impossible to satisfy needs of the player who wants to
utilize a variety of music scores.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention has been made in order to solve the problem
described above, and it is an object of the present invention to
cause a player to create a variety of music scores in a rhythm
game.
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is
directed to a rhythm game control apparatus for controlling
progress of a rhythm game while reproducing music and causing a
display device to display one or more trigger on a display screen
of the display device. In this case, the display device includes a
touch panel, and each of the one or more trigger indicates an
operation sign to prompt a player to input an operation according
to a rhythm of the music. The rhythm game control apparatus
according to the present invention includes a basic music score
information memory for storing basic music score information, the
basic music score information indicating a basic music score on
which one or more trigger arrangement permissible mark is arranged,
the trigger arrangement permissible mark indicating an arrangement
permissible position for the one or more trigger.
The rhythm game control apparatus also includes a music score
information memory for storing music score information, the music
score information indicating a music score on which the one or more
trigger is arranged, the music score being used in the rhythm
game.
The rhythm game control apparatus also includes a music score
editing screen display controller for causing the display device to
display a music score editing screen on which the basic music score
indicated by the basic music score information can be edited.
The rhythm game control apparatus also includes a trigger arranging
request receiver for receiving a trigger arranging request from the
player on the music score editing screen on the basis of a trigger
arranging operation by the player.
The rhythm game control apparatus also includes a trigger arranger
for arranging each of the one or more trigger on the basic music
score in accordance with the trigger arranging request received by
the trigger arranging request receiver in a case where an arranging
request position of each trigger by the trigger arranging request
is an arrangement permissible position at which a trigger
arrangement permissible mark is arranged.
The rhythm game control apparatus also includes an edited music
score information register for registering the music score
information in the music score information memory, the music score
information indicating the music score for which the trigger
arranger arranges the one or more trigger on the basic music score
and the basic music score is thereby edited.
By configuring the rhythm game control apparatus as described
above, it becomes possible to cause a player to create a variety of
music scores in a rhythm game.
In the rhythm game control apparatus according to the present
invention, it is preferable that the music score editing screen
display controller causes the display device to display the music
score editing screen on which the music score indicated by the
music score information registered in the music score information
memory can be edited, wherein the trigger arranger arranges a
trigger on the music score in response to the trigger arranging
request in a case where the arranging request position of the
trigger by the trigger arranging request is an arrangement
permissible position at which a trigger arrangement permissible
mark is arranged, and wherein the edited music score information
register registers the music score information, which indicates the
music score edited so that the trigger arranger arranges the
trigger on the music score, in the music score information
memory.
In the rhythm game control apparatus according to the present
invention, it is preferable that the rhythm game control apparatus
further includes: a trigger arrangement changing request receiver
for receiving a trigger arrangement changing request on the music
score editing screen by a trigger arrangement changing operation of
the player; and a trigger arrangement position changer for changing
the arrangement position of the trigger in accordance with the
trigger arrangement changing request in a case where the
arrangement changing request position of the trigger by the trigger
arrangement changing request is another arrangement permissible
position at which another trigger arrangement permissible mark is
arranged. In this case, the edited music score information register
registers the music score information, which indicates the music
score edited so that the trigger arrangement position changer
changes the arrangement position of the trigger, in the music score
information memory.
In the rhythm game control apparatus according to the present
invention, it is preferable that the music score editing screen
display controller causes the display device to selectively display
the one or more trigger arrangement permissible mark on the basis
of a size of the music score editing screen to be displayed on the
display screen.
Moreover, in another aspect of the present invention, the present
invention is directed to a non-transitory computer-readable medium
containing a rhythm game control program for causing a computer to
control progress of a rhythm game while reproducing music and
causing a display device to display one or more trigger on a
display screen of the display device, the display device including
a touch panel. In this case, each of the one or more trigger
indicates an operation sign to prompt a player to input an
operation according to a rhythm of the music. The computer includes
a basic music score information memory for storing basic music
score information, the basic music score information indicating a
basic music score on which one or more trigger arrangement
permissible mark is arranged, the trigger arrangement permissible
mark indicating an arrangement permissible position for the one or
more trigger; and a music score information memory for storing
music score information, the music score information indicating a
music score on which the one or more trigger is arranged, the music
score being used in the rhythm game.
The rhythm game control program causes the computer to execute
steps including causing the display device to display a music score
editing screen on which the basic music score indicated by the
basic music score information can be edited.
The steps also include receiving a trigger arranging request from
the player on the music score editing screen on the basis of a
trigger arranging operation by the player.
The steps also include arranging each of the one or more trigger on
the basic music score in accordance with the trigger arranging
request received in the receiving a trigger arranging request in a
case where an arranging request position of each trigger by the
trigger arranging request is an arrangement permissible position at
which a trigger arrangement permissible mark is arranged.
The steps also include registering the music score information in
the music score information memory, the music score information
indicating the music score for which the one or more trigger is
arranged on the basic music score and the basic music score is
thereby edited.
According to the present invention, it is possible to cause a
player to create a variety of music scores in a rhythm game.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the
present invention will become more readily apparent from the
following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the
present invention that proceeds with reference to the appending
drawings:
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a
rhythm game control apparatus;
FIG. 2 is an explanatory drawing for explaining an example of a
configuration of a control section;
FIG. 3 is an explanatory drawing showing an example of a storage
state of edit mode information;
FIG. 4 is an explanatory drawing showing an example of a storage
state of basic music score information;
FIG. 5 is an explanatory drawing showing an example of a storage
state of music score information;
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of edit mode
processing;
FIG. 7 is an explanatory drawing for explaining an example of a
music score editing screen;
FIGS. 8A and 8B are explanatory drawing for explaining an arranging
request of a trigger;
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of trigger editing
processing;
FIGS. 10A and 10B are explanatory drawings for explaining an edit
menu display screen;
FIGS. 11A and 11B are explanatory drawings for explaining another
example of an edit menu display screen;
FIGS. 12A and 12B are explanatory drawings for explaining the edit
menu display screen including an edit menu dedicated to a hold
trigger; and
FIGS. 13A and 13B are explanatory drawings for explaining
enlargement of the music score.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an example of one embodiment of the present invention
will be described with reference to the appending drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a
rhythm game control apparatus 100 according to one embodiment of
the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the rhythm game control
apparatus 100 includes: a game program reading section 10; a
control section 11; a storage section 12; a display section 13; an
audio output section 14; a player operation receiving section 15;
and a communication section 16.
The game program reading section 10 has a function to read out a
necessary video game program from a storage medium in which a
storage medium is embedded. Various kinds of video game programs
are stored in the storage medium. In this regard, in the present
embodiment, the game program reading section 10 has amounting
section into which a game cartridge 20, in which the video game
program is stored, is detachably mounted. A player (that is, an
operator (user) of the rhythm game control apparatus 100) reads out
a video game program from a storage medium of a game cartridge 20
that is mounted into the mounting section, and stores the read-out
video game program in the storage section 12. In this regard, the
video game carried out in accordance with the video game program
used in the present embodiment may be any one such as a RPG, a
simulation game, a puzzle game, a battle game and the like, so long
as the video game is a video game that contains a rhythm game as an
element of the video game.
The control section 11 has a function to execute a video game
program read out by the game program reading section 10 and stored
in the storage section 12, and a function to carry out various
kinds of controls to cause the video game to proceed in response to
an operation of the player.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory drawing for explaining an example of a
configuration of the control section 11 according to the present
embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the control section 11 includes: a
music score editing screen display section 11a; a trigger arranging
request receiving section 11b; a trigger arranging section 11c; and
an edited music score information registering section 11d.
The music score editing screen display section 11a has a function
to carry out a process to cause the display section 13 to display a
music score editing screen. A basic music score indicated by basic
music score information (will be described later) can be edited on
the music score editing screen.
The trigger arranging request receiving section 11b has a function
to carry out a process to receive a trigger arranging request by a
trigger arranging operation of the player on the music score
editing screen.
The trigger arranging section 11c has a function to carry out a
process to arrange triggers on a basic music score in accordance
with a trigger arranging request in a case where an arranging
request position of a trigger according to a trigger arranging
request is an arrangement permissible position at which a trigger
arrangement permissible mark is arranged.
The edited music score information registering section 11d has a
function to carryout a process to register music score information,
which indicates a music score in which a basic music score is
edited, in the music score information storage section 12c in a
case where the trigger arranging section 11c arranges a trigger at
the basic music score.
The storage section 12 is a storage medium for storing video game
programs and various kinds of data that are necessary when the
video game is caused to proceed. The storage section 12 is
configured by a nonvolatile memory such as a RAM, for example. In
the storage section 12, various kinds of information registered and
updated in accordance with progress of the video game, and various
kinds of information used in the video game, which are read out
from the storage medium embedded into the game cartridge 20, are
stored.
In this regard, the rhythm game control apparatus 100 may be
configured so that the video game program is downloaded from a
video game program providing server (not shown in the drawings) via
a communication network such as the Internet or the like and is
stored in the storage section 12.
In the present embodiment, the storage section 12 includes: an edit
mode information storage section 12a; a basic music score
information storage section 12b; and a music score information
storage section 12c.
The edit mode information storage section 12a is a storage medium
for storing edit mode information. The edit mode information is
information on a mode to edit a music score used in the rhythm game
(edit mode).
FIG. 3 is an explanatory drawing showing an example of a storage
state of the edit mode information stored in the edit mode
information storage section 12a. As shown in FIG. 3, the edit mode
information contains: an edit target; a guide display target; and
edit menu information. In this regard, although it is not shown in
the drawings, in the present embodiment, information indicating a
screen and an image to be displayed in an edit mode is contained in
the edit mode information storage section 12a.
Here, the edit target denotes a music score that becomes a target
in the edit mode. The target indicates the music score for which
arrangement of triggers is to be edited. In the present embodiment,
any one of a basic music score that is a music score on which no
trigger is arranged and a music score on which the trigger has
already been arranged (in the present embodiment, a default music
score or an edited music score) is set up as an edit target.
Further, the trigger means an operation sign to prompt the player
to carry out a predetermined operational input in the rhythm
game.
Further, the guide display target means a target that is displayed
for guiding an example of an arrangement position of the trigger in
the edit mode (that is, a target to be displayed for guidance). In
the present embodiment, for the guide display target, any one of
three types of music scores (default music score), including basic,
expert and ultimate, created in advance in correspondence with the
basic music score is set up as the default music score.
Further, the edit menu information is information on the edit menu
displayed in the edit mode. In the present embodiment, the edit
menu information contains image information to be displayed as an
edit menu and the like in addition to rules to show an edit menu to
be displayed in accordance with a trigger selected in the edit
mode. Hereinafter, the case where a rule that "An edit menu 1 is
displayed in a case where a trigger is selected; or an edit menu 2
(which is different from the edit menu 1) is displayed in a case
where a hold trigger is selected" is set up as the rules to show
the edit menu will be described as examples.
The basic music score information storage section 12b is a storage
medium for storing basic music score information. The basic music
score information indicates a basic music score on which a trigger
arrangement permissible mark is arranged. The trigger arrangement
permissible mark indicates an arrangement permissible position of a
trigger.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory drawing showing an example of a storage
state of the basic music score information stored in the basic
music score information storage section 12b. As shown in FIG. 4,
the basic music score information contains: a basic music score
name; music information; and trigger arrangement permissible mark
information.
Here, the basic music score name means a name used as
identification information for uniquely identifying (or specifying)
a basic music score.
Further, the music information is information for indicating music
to be reproduced during the rhythm game.
Further, the trigger arrangement permissible mark information is
information on a trigger arrangement permissible mark that
indicates an arrangement permissible position of a trigger on a
music score. In the present embodiment, positions to arrange
triggers are defined for each basic music score. In this regard, it
is preferable that the trigger arrangement permissible position is
defined on the basis of a tempo of music corresponding to the basic
music score.
The music score information storage section 12c is a storage medium
for storing music score information. The music score information
indicates a music score used in the rhythm game. The trigger is
arranged on the music score.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory drawing showing an example of a storage
state of the music score information stored in the music score
information storage section 12c. As shown in FIG. 5, the music
score information contains: a basic music score name; default music
score information; and edited music score information.
Here, the default music score information means information on a
music score on which a trigger is arranged in advance by a creator
of the rhythm game or the like, for example. In the present
embodiment, the default music score information contains: a default
music score name used as identification information for uniquely
identifying the default music score; and trigger information that
is information on the arranged trigger(s).
Further, the edited music score information means information on a
music score that has been edited by a player. Here, the word "to
edit a music score" in the present embodiment means to arrange a
trigger or triggers on a trigger arrangement permissible mark(s)
that is/are arranged on a music score, or to delete the trigger
arranged on the trigger arrangement permissible mark that is/are
arranged on the music score or to change the type and/or a position
of the trigger. In the present embodiment, the edited music score
information contains: an edited music score name used as
identification information for uniquely identifying the edited
music score; and trigger information that is information on the
edited trigger. In this regard, the rhythm game control apparatus
100 may be configured so that the edited music score name is set up
by an editor of the music score, or created one is automatically
set up as the edited music score name after editing in accordance
with a predetermined rule.
The display section 13 is a display device for displaying the game
screen in response to progress of the video game and operations by
the player in accordance with controls by the control section 11.
The display section 13 is constructed by a liquid crystal display,
for example.
The audio output section 14 outputs audio in response to operations
by the player and progress of the video game in accordance with a
control by the control section 11.
The player operation receiving section 15 is configured so as to
receive operational signals in response to operations by the
player, and to notify the control section 11 of that result. In the
present embodiment, the player operation receiving section 15 is
configured so as to receive an operation of the player via a touch
panel provided in the display section 13. In this regard, the
rhythm game control apparatus 100 may be configured so that the
player operation receiving section 15 receives an operation of the
player via a controller such as a mouse and a game pad.
The communication section 16 causes the rhythm game control
apparatus 100 to connect to a communication network such as the
Internet by wireless or wired connections, and to transmit and
receive various kinds of information.
Next, an outline of the rhythm game carried out in the rhythm game
control apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be
described. The rhythm game carried out in the present embodiment
includes: a game mode in which a player carries out a predetermined
operation in tune with music to cause the rhythm game to proceed;
and an edit mode in which the player carries out editing a music
score.
In the game mode, a trigger that is an operation sign is displayed
on the display screen on the basis of the music score information,
and the player carries out an operation indicated by the trigger in
accordance with timing when the trigger reaches a specific position
on the display screen. Then, the rhythm game is caused to proceed
while sequentially determining the content and the timing of the
operation carried out by the player. In this regard, a method of
causing the rhythm game to proceed is not particularly limited. In
the present embodiment, a progress method in which an attack toward
an enemy character is carried out when it is determined that the
operation of the player succeeded and a progress method in which a
player character moves in a virtual space (field) when it is
determined that the operation of the player succeeded are
adopted.
On the other hand, in the edit mode, a screen for arranging the
trigger according to the music is displayed on the display screen,
and the player creates a music score by carrying out addition or
arrangement changing of the trigger and the like. The edit mode
will be described later in detail.
Next, an operation of the rhythm game control apparatus 100
according to the present embodiment will be described.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of edit mode processing
carried out by the rhythm game control apparatus 100. In the edit
mode processing, processing to edit a music score (in particular,
addition, deletion or change of a trigger) is carried out in
response to an instruction from the player. In this regard, the
content of processing with no relationship to the present invention
may be omitted.
The edit mode processing is started when a request to start an edit
mode from the player and selection of a music score as an edit
target (that is, a music score on which a basic music score or a
trigger is arranged) are received, for example.
In the edit mode processing, the control section 11 first causes
the display section 13 to display a music score editing screen
(Step S101). An edit target for which selection is received can be
edited on the music score editing screen. In the present
embodiment, the case where the control section 11 receives
selection of a basic music score A and a music score editing screen
on which a music score A-1 can be edited is thereby displayed will
be described as an example. The music score A-1 is a music score on
which a trigger has already been arranged. In this regard, the
rhythm game control apparatus 100 may be configured so that the
control section 11 causes the display section 13 to display the
music score editing screen without specifying an edit target and
then receives selection of an edit target by the player.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory drawing for explaining an example of the
music score editing screen. As shown in FIG. 7, a music score
configured by four lanes L1 to L4, a back button BB, a template
display region TD, a template change button TB, a record button RB
and a play button PB are provided on the music score editing
screen.
Trigger(s), trigger arrangement permissible marks and guide (s) are
displayed on each lane on the basis of music score information
corresponding to the music score A-1 and basic music score
information corresponding to the basic music score A that is a
basic music score of the music score A-1.
Here, types of the trigger according to the present embodiment will
be described briefly. There are four types in the trigger according
to the present embodiment that include a tap trigger, a slide
trigger, a hold trigger and a hold slide trigger.
The tap trigger (for example, a trigger 701 shown in FIG. 7)
functions as an operation sign that indicates a tap operation to an
arbitrary position on the music score editing screen. The slide
trigger (for example, a trigger 702 shown in FIG. 7) functions as
an operation sign that indicates a slide operation toward the
direction of an arrow drawn in the slide trigger. The hold trigger
(for example, a trigger 703 shown in FIG. 7) is a trigger
constructed by a starting point trigger 703a, a hold line 703b and
an ending point trigger 703c. The hold trigger functions as an
operation sign that indicates continuation of an operation shown by
the starting point trigger 703a during a length of a hold line. The
hold slide trigger (not shown in the drawings) is a trigger that
has a configuration so that the starting point trigger 703a of the
hold trigger 703 is replaced by a slide trigger. The hold slide
trigger functions as an operation sign that indicates continuation
of an operation shown by a slide trigger as a starting point
trigger during a length of a hold line.
Further, each of trigger arrangement permissible marks (for
example, a trigger arrangement permissible mark 705 shown in FIG.
7) is arranged at the timing along with a rhythm of music indicated
by the music information of the music score A-1, and the player
(that is, an editor of the music score) arranges triggers on the
trigger arrangement permissible marks.
Further, a guide is displayed in accordance with default music
score information corresponding to the music score A-1. More
specifically, a predetermined image is displayed at the position of
the trigger indicated by the default music score information in the
form different from that of the trigger set up on the music score
A-1. In the present embodiment, the type of the music score
indicated by the default music score information is displayed in
the template display region TD. Further, the default music score
information is changed by the template change button TB.
Further, in the present embodiment, in a case where selection of
the back button BB is received, the control section 11 terminates
the edit mode.
Further, in a case where selection of the record button RB is
received, the control section 11 starts processing to carry out a
real-time input mode that is a mode to arrange trigger(s) on the
scene while reproducing (or performing) the music (not shown in the
drawings). In the real-time input mode, the control section 11
starts to perform the music, and carries out recording of the
trigger at the same time. At this time, the control section 11
causes the display section 13 to display an image that indicates a
region to request the player to input an operation for the trigger
on the music score, and feeds the trigger arrangement permissible
marks in accordance with the performance of the music, whereby the
player can be caused to arrange the triggers with a feeling similar
to that during the game play.
Moreover, in a case where selection of the play button PB is
received, the control section 11 starts processing to carry out an
auto play mode that is a mode in which the trigger (s) that is
currently arranged can be confirmed by automatic reproduction (not
shown in the drawings). In the auto play mode, the control section
11 starts to perform the music according to the music score
displayed on the music score editing screen when the selection of
the play button PB is received, and outputs a sound effect when the
operation indicated by the trigger arranged on the music score is
inputted at the "best timing (critical)" for the game mode.
When the music score editing screen is displayed, the control
section 11 determines whether an arranging request of a trigger
(trigger arranging request) is received or not (Step S102).
FIGS. 8A and 8B are explanatory drawing for explaining an arranging
request of a trigger. When a trigger arrangement permissible mark
801 on a music score is tapped by a finger P of the player as shown
in FIG. 8A, the control section 11 determines that an arranging
request for the trigger to the trigger arrangement permissible mark
801 is received. In this regard, in the present embodiment, even
though the player carries out arrangement of the trigger by a
somewhat rough operation, the control section 11 snaps the trigger
on the trigger arrangement permissible mark. Namely, for example,
even in a case where the player touches a position away from the
trigger arrangement permissible mark 801 by a predetermined
distance, the control section 11 determines that a trigger
arranging request to the trigger arrangement permissible mark 801
is received if there is no trigger arrangement permissible mark
other than the trigger arrangement permissible mark 801 at the
touched position. By configuring the rhythm game control apparatus
100 in this manner, the player is allowed to create a music score
consistent with a rhythm of music corresponding to a music score
even though the player arranges triggers without caring about
strict timing and/or a strict position.
Ina case where it is determined that the trigger arranging request
is received ("Yes" at Step S102), the control section 11 updates
the music score information in accordance with the received trigger
arranging request (Step S103). In the present embodiment, the
control section 11 arranges a tap trigger 802 on the music score
A-1 as shown in FIG. 8B in a case where the arranging request
position of the trigger by the trigger arranging request is an
arrangement permissible position at which the trigger arrangement
permissible mark is arranged. On the other hand, in a case where
the arranging request position of the trigger by the trigger
arranging request is not the arrangement permissible position at
which a trigger arrangement permissible mark is arranged, the
control section 11 causes the display section 13 to display a
predetermined error message, which shows that effect, on the
display screen, and does not arranges any trigger. Further, in the
present embodiment, whenever the music score information is
updated, the control section 11 registers the updated music score
information in the music score information storage section 12c.
However, the rhythm game control apparatus 100 may be configured so
that the control section 11 requests the player to select whether
the updated music score information is registered or not and/or
whether the updated music score information is overwritten or not,
for example.
When the music score information is updated, the control section 11
determines whether the edit mode is to be terminated or not (Step
S104). Here, in a case where it is determined that the edit mode is
to be terminated, for example, because selection of the back button
BB by the player is received ("Yes" at Step S104), the control
section 11 terminates the processing herein.
On the other hand, in a case where it is determined that the edit
mode is not to be terminated ("No" at Step S104), the control
section 11 causes the display section 13 to display the music score
editing screen in accordance with the updated music score
information, and causes the processing flow to proceed to the
process at Step S102.
Further, in a case where it is determined in the process at Step
S102 that no trigger arranging request is received ("No" at Step
S102), the control section 11 determines whether selection of a
trigger is received or not (Step S105). Here, in a case where it is
determined that selection of the trigger is received, for example,
by tapping the trigger on the display screen by means of the finger
P of the player ("Yes" at Step S105), the control section 11 starts
trigger editing processing for causing the player to edit an
arrangement position of the trigger (Step S200). In this regard, in
a case where the trigger on the display screen receives a drag
operation by means of the finger P of the player at this time, the
control section 11 moves the trigger right and left and up and down
in response to the drag operation. In a case where the trigger is
moved right and left, the timing is adjusted. In a case where the
trigger is moved up and down, the lane is changed into another
lane.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of trigger editing
processing carried out by the rhythm game control apparatus 100. In
this regard, the content of processing with no relationship to the
present invention may be omitted.
In the trigger editing processing, the control section 11 first
determines a type of a trigger for which selection is received
(Step S201).
When the type of the trigger is determined, the control section 11
determines whether the type of the trigger for which the selection
by the player is received is a hold trigger (including a hold slide
trigger) or not (Step S202). Here, in a case where it is determined
that the type of the trigger is not a hold trigger ("No" at Step
S202), the control section 11 shifts to the process at Step S204
(will be described later).
On the other hand, in a case where it is determined that the type
of the trigger is hold trigger ("Yes" at Step S202), the control
section 11 determines that the edit menu to be displayed on the
edit menu display screen is an edit menu dedicated to a hold
trigger (Step S203). In this regard, in a case where the type of
the trigger is not a hold trigger, the control section 11 selects
normal one different from the edit menu dedicated to the hold
trigger as the edit menu to be displayed on the edit menu display
screen.
When the edit menu to be displayed is determined, the control
section 11 determines a position to which the trigger, for which
the selection is received, can be moved (that is, a movable
position for the trigger) (Step S204). In the present embodiment,
the trigger cannot be arranged at a position that meets a
predetermined condition (for example, the same timing as other
trigger, timing immediately after start of performance of the
music, timing immediately before termination of performance of the
music, timing to start a feature zone, and timing to terminate the
feature zone). In this regard, the feature zone according to the
present embodiment is a fixed range on the music score in which a
special effect (for example, summons of a summon monster) is
activated when the player continues the operation at the right time
during progress of the game mode. The rhythm game control apparatus
100 may be configured so that the control section 11 allows the
player who meets a specific condition to set up the feature zone as
one mode to edit a music score.
When the position to which the trigger can be moved is determined,
the control section 11 causes the display section 13 to display an
edit menu display screen (Step S205).
FIGS. 10A and 10B are explanatory drawings for explaining an
example of an edit menu display screen. When a tap operation to a
tap trigger 1001 singly displayed on the display screen by the
finger P of the player is received as shown in FIG. 10A, the
control section 11 causes the display section 13 to display an edit
menu display screen including an edit menu 1010 as shown in FIG.
10B. The edit menu 1010 is displayed in the form associated with
the tap trigger 1001. Here, in the present embodiment, a tap
trigger 1011, plural kinds of slide triggers 1012, a hold trigger
1013 and a recycle bin icon 1014 are displayed in the edit menu
1010. The edit menu 1010 is connected to the tap trigger 1001 by a
straight line. Then, in a case where a selection operation to the
edit menu 1010 by the player is received, the control section 11
changes the tap trigger 1001. Namely, in a case where selection of
a slide trigger is received, for example, the control section 11
changes the tap trigger 1001 into a slide trigger. Further, in a
case where selection of the recycle bin icon 1014 is received, the
control section 11 deletes the tap trigger 1001.
In this regard, as shown in FIG. 10B, the control section 11 causes
the display section 13 to emphatically display the trigger
arrangement permissible mark (for example, a trigger arrangement
permissible mark 1002) on the edit menu display screen (more
specifically, the trigger arrangement permissible mark that has
never been bright until transition (or shift) to an edit menu
display screen is caused to be bright whitely). Then, in a case
where a drag operation by the player is received and it is
determined that the received drag operation is an operation to move
the tap trigger 1001 to a movable position, the control section 11
arranges the tap trigger 1001 at the movable position (not shown in
the drawings).
FIGS. 11A and 11B are explanatory drawings for explaining another
example of an edit menu display screen. When a tap operation to a
slide trigger 1101 displayed on the display screen by the finger P
of the player is received in a state where a plurality of triggers
are displayed on the display screen as shown in FIG. 11A, the
control section 11 causes the display section 13 to display an edit
menu display screen including an edit menu 1110 as shown in FIG.
11B. The edit menu 1110 is displayed in the form associated with
the slide trigger. Further, in the present embodiment, the control
section 11 causes the display section 13 to emphatically display
only a trigger arrangement permissible mark (for example, a trigger
arrangement permissible mark 1120 shown in FIG. 11B) among trigger
arrangement permissible marks displayed on the music score editing
screen (for example, see the two trigger arrangement permissible
marks 1120, 1121 shown in FIG. 11A). The trigger arrangement
permissible mark becomes a position to which the slide trigger 1101
moves.
FIGS. 12A and 12B are explanatory drawings for explaining the edit
menu display screen including an edit menu dedicated to a hold
trigger. In a case where selection of a hold trigger by the player
is received on the music score editing screen, the control section
11 causes the display section 13 to display an edit menu display
screen including an edit menu 1210 as shown in FIG. 12A. The edit
menu 1210 is displayed in the form associated with the hold trigger
1201. Here, in the present embodiment, a plurality of slide
triggers (starting point slide triggers) for receiving a change
request into a hold slide trigger is selectably displayed on the
edit menu 1210 connected to the hold trigger 1201 by a straight
line.
In this regard, in a case where selection of a hold slide trigger
by the player is received on the music score editing screen, the
control section 11 causes the display section 13 to display an edit
menu display screen including an edit menu 1260 as shown in FIG.
12B. The edit menu 1260 is displayed in the form associated with a
hold slide trigger 1251. Here, in the present embodiment, a
plurality of slide triggers (starting point slide triggers) for
receiving a change request of a slide angle is displayed in the
edit menu 1260 that is connected to the hold slide trigger 1251 by
a straight line, and a tap trigger (starting point tap trigger) for
receiving a change request into a hold trigger is also selectably
displayed in the edit menu 1260.
When the edit menu display screen is displayed, the control section
11 determines whether a selection operation to the edit menu is
received or not (Step S206). Here, in a case where it is determined
that a selection operation to the edit menu is received ("Yes" at
Step S206), the control section 11 edits the trigger for which
selection is received in accordance with the selection operation
(in the present embodiment, changes the type of the trigger or
deletes the trigger); updates the music score information so that
the edited content is reflected thereto; and registers the updated
music score information in the music score information storage
section 12c (Step S207).
When the music score information is updated, the control section 11
causes the display section 13 to display the music score editing
screen on the basis of the updated music score information (Step
S208); terminates the processing herein; and shifts to the process
at Step S104 in the edit mode processing (see FIG. 6).
On the other hand, in a case where it is determined that no
selection operation to the edit menu is received ("No" at Step
S206), the control section 11 determines whether a request to
change arrangement of the trigger (trigger arrangement changing
request) is received or not (Step S209). In a case where it is
determined that a trigger arrangement changing request is received,
for example, by receiving a drag operation as the trigger
arrangement changing operation ("Yes" at Step S209), the control
section 11 updates the music score information so that an
arrangement position of the trigger is changed in accordance with
the trigger arrangement changing request (Step S207). In this
regard, in the present embodiment, in a case where the arrangement
changing request position of the trigger, which is indicated by a
drag operation received as a trigger arrangement changing request
(that is, a position at which the drag operation is terminated) is
an arrangement permissible position at which a trigger arrangement
permissible mark is arranged, the control section 11 changes the
arrangement position of the trigger in accordance with the trigger
arrangement changing request. On the other hand, in a case where it
is determined that no trigger arrangement changing request is
received ("No" at Step S209), the control section 11 determines
whether the trigger editing processing is to be terminated or not
(Step S210). Here, in a case where it is determined that the
trigger editing processing is not to be terminated ("No" at Step
S210), the control section 11 causes the processing flow to proceed
to the process at Step S205.
On the other hand, in a case where it is determined that the
trigger editing processing is to be terminated, for example,
because a predetermined trigger editing processing terminates
operation is received, the control section 11 terminates the
processing herein, and causes the processing flow to proceed to the
process at Step S104 in the edit mode processing (see FIG. 6).
Further, in a case where it is determined that selection of the
trigger is not received in the process before the trigger editing
processing in the edit mode processing is started (that is, the
process at Step S105) ("No" at Step S105), the control section 11
determines whether an enlarging request for the music score is
received or not (Step S106). Here, in a case where it is determined
that no enlarging request for the music score is received ("No" at
Step S106), the control section 11 causes the processing flow to
proceed to the process at Step S104.
On the other hand, in a case where it is determined that an
enlarging request for the music score is received, for example, by
receiving a predetermined music score enlarging operation (for
example, a pinch-out operation) by the player ("Yes" at Step S106),
the control section 11 causes the display section 13 to display the
music score editing screen in which the music score is enlarged
(Step S107), and causes the processing flow to proceed to the
process at Step S102.
FIGS. 13A and 13B are explanatory drawings for explaining
enlargement of the music score. When a pinch-out operation by the
finger P of the player (that is, an operation to touch two points
of the display screen by means of two fingers of the player and to
move touched points so that a distance between the two points is
extended) is received toward a part of the display screen as shown
in FIG. 13A, the control section 11 updates the music score editing
screen so that a distance between two trigger arrangement
permissible marks 1301, 1302 on the lane is extended as shown in
FIG. 13B. In this regard, in the present embodiment, even though
the music score is enlarged, a size of the trigger is not changed.
Further, the control section 11 causes the display section 13 to
selectively display the trigger arrangement permissible marks in
accordance with the size of the music score (or an enlargement
ratio). Namely, in a case where the music score is enlarged from
the state shown in FIG. 13A to the state shown in FIG. 13B, for
example, the control section 11 causes the display section 13 to
display one trigger arrangement permissible mark 1303 between the
two rigger arrangement permissible marks 1301, 1302, which have
been displayed before the enlargement so as to be added on the
basis of the trigger arrangement permissible mark information
corresponding to the displayed music score.
In this regard, in a case where the control section 11 receives a
pinch-in operation, the control section 11 causes the display
section 13 to display the music score so as to be reduced (or scale
down). Further, in a case where a predetermined operation (for
example, a double tap to the display screen) is received, the
control section 11 resets a scale of the music score.
As explained above, in the embodiment described above, the rhythm
game control apparatus 100 for controlling progress of a rhythm
game while reproducing music and causing a display device to
display one or more trigger, which indicates an operation sign to
prompt a player to input an operation according to a rhythm of the
music, on a display screen of the display device with a touch panel
is configured so as to: include the basic music score information
storage section 12b for storing basic music score information, the
basic music score information indicating a basic music score on
which one or more trigger arrangement permissible mark is arranged,
the trigger arrangement permissible mark indicating an arrangement
permissible position for the one or more trigger; include the music
score information storage section 12c for storing music score
information, the music score information indicating a music score
on which the one or more trigger is arranged, the music score being
used in the rhythm game; cause the display device 13 to display the
music score editing screen on which the basic music score indicated
by the basic music score information can be edited (for example,
Step S101); receive a trigger arranging request from the player on
the music score editing screen on the basis of a trigger arranging
operation by the player (for example, Step S102); arrange each of
the one or more trigger on the basic music score in accordance with
the trigger arranging request received by the trigger arranging
request receiver in a case where an arranging request position of
each trigger by the trigger arranging request is an arrangement
permissible position at which a trigger arrangement permissible
mark is arranged (for example, Step S103); and register the music
score information in the music score information memory, the music
score information indicating the music score for which the trigger
arranger arranges the one or more trigger on the basic music score
and the basic music score is thereby edited (for example, Step
S103). Therefore, it is possible to cause a player to create a
variety of music scores in a rhythm game. As a result, it is
possible to satisfy needs of a player who utilizes a variety of
music scores.
Namely, the player associates the trigger with the music score,
whereby it is possible to create a variety of music scores.
Therefore, this becomes possible to utilize the variety of music
scores other than the music scores created at a game provider side
in the rhythm game.
Further, in the embodiment described above, the rhythm game control
apparatus 100 may be configured so as to: cause the display device
13 to display the music score editing screen on which the music
score indicated by the music score information registered in the
music score information storage section 12c can be edited (for
example, Step S101); arrange a trigger on the music score in
response to the trigger arranging request in a case where the
arranging request position of the trigger by the trigger arranging
request is an arrangement permissible position at which a trigger
arrangement permissible mark is arranged (for example, Step S103);
and register the music score information, which indicates the music
score edited so that the trigger arranger arranges the trigger on
the music score, in the music score information storage section 12c
(for example, Step S103). Therefore, by arranging the trigger
arrangement permissible marks at positions matched with a tempo or
a rhythm of music (or song), it is possible to create the music
score according to the music (or the song) regardless of a
technique of the player.
Further, in the embodiment described above, the rhythm game control
apparatus 100 may be configured so as to: receive a trigger
arrangement changing request on the music score editing screen by a
trigger arrangement changing operation of the player (for example,
Step S209); change the arrangement position of the trigger in
accordance with the trigger arrangement changing request in a case
where the arrangement changing request position of the trigger by
the trigger arrangement changing request is another arrangement
permissible position at which another trigger arrangement
permissible mark is arranged (for example, Step S207); and register
the music score information, which indicates the music score edited
so that the trigger arrangement position changer changes the
arrangement position of the trigger, in the music score information
storage section 12c (for example, Step S207). Therefore, it becomes
possible to prevent the position of the trigger from being set up
at a position out of accordance with the music (or song).
Further, in the embodiment described above, the rhythm game control
apparatus 100 may be configured so as to selectively display the
one or more trigger arrangement permissible mark on the basis of a
size of the music score editing screen to be displayed on the
display screen. Therefore, it becomes possible to improve
operability of the music score editing screen on which the triggers
are arranged. Further, since positions at which the triggers can be
arranged are gradually segmentalized by continuing the enlargement,
it is possible to arrange the triggers by a frame unit. By making
full use of this function, it is possible to arrange the triggers
at places outside the rhythm of the music. Further, by configuring
the rhythm game control apparatus 100 in this manner, it is
possible to create an anomalous music score or a more technical
music score.
Further, although it has not been mentioned particularly in the
embodiment described above, the rhythm game control apparatus 100
may be configured so as to transmit part or all of the music score
information stored in the music score information storage section
12c to other apparatus via the communication network. By
configuring the rhythm game control apparatus 100 in this manner,
it is possible to transfer the music scores between players of the
same video game, and this makes it possible to improve sociability
of the video game itself.
In this regard, in the embodiment described above, the rhythm game
control apparatus 100 is configured so as to carry out various
kinds of processings such as the edit mode processing described
above on the basis of the video game program read out from the game
cartridge 20. However, the rhythm game control apparatus 100 may be
configured so as to acquire the video game program via the
communication network such as the Internet. Further, the rhythm
game control apparatus 100 may be configured so as to function as a
video game server to provide the video game program to a video game
terminal via the communication network.
Further, in the embodiment described above, the rhythm game control
apparatus 100 carries out the various kinds of processes described
above in accordance with various kinds of control programs (for
example, rhythm game processing program) stored in a storage device
(the storage section 12) with which the rhythm game control
apparatus 100 itself is provided.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
The present invention is useful to cause a player to create a
variety of music scores in a rhythm game.
* * * * *
References